The Best River Cruises in the World, Ranked by Preference

Traditionally, river cruising is less about the ships—which are limited in size by currents, tides, low bridges, and bends in the rivers—than about the sights. The onboard luxuries have always paled in comparison to the easily accessible charms on shore. (Unlike ocean cruise ships, river vessels often dock right in town rather than in distant commercial port terminals.) Still, these days some river boats are distinctly better than others. The ultra-luxe Crystal Mozart, for example, which features two- and one-bedroom suites with personal balconies.

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BEST OVERALL, BEST ONBOARD ACTIVITIES, BEST ON-SHORE ACTIVITIES, BEST FOOD: AMAWATERWAYS

AmaWaterways

This line never rests on its laurels. AmaWaterways president and co-founder Rudi Schreiner is constantly searching for what's next, be it pioneering a tributary few others sail (Botswana's Chobe River), a culinary innovation (an open kitchen Chef's Table restaurant), or new partnerships that enrich passenger experiences (for example, with Backroads for recreational enthusiasts, or with Adventures by Disney, to bring families to river cruising). Onboard innovations we love: spacious "twin balcony" cabins, the fact that every ship stocks two dozen bikes for casual exploration on shore, and the unusually congenial and attentive crew.

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The line offers a stellar series of wine-themed cruises that celebrate the varieties of the region, be it the grüner veltliners along the Danube, the reds of Bordeaux, or the port of the Douro region. Off ship, there are visits to local wineries and cellars, with tastings; on ship, U.S. winemakers provide tastings of their own wines alongside locally produced vintages.

The company is bringing family travel to river cruises big time, with immersive adventures on the Danube and the Rhine from the summer months through the early fall season. AmaWaterways tweaked the design of the AmaViola and AmaKristina, its newest vessels, to create family-friendly cabins. Adventures by Disney, an arm of the vast magic creator, has come up with the tour menus, which include toboggan rides, hiking, zip lining in the Black Forest, and canoeing along the Ill River.

Book NowDanube River Cruise, starting at $4,789 per personBook NowRhine River Cruise, starting at $4,919 per person

Whether served formally, casually, or at the intimate 28-seat Chef's Table, the food on AmaWaterways, the only river line to be a member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, is superbly prepared and plated. Menus reflect the regions the ships pass through, are sensitive to dietary restrictions, and are complemented by such onshore experiences as restaurant takeovers (say, in Avignon).

MOST DISTINCTIVE AMBIENCE, BEST FOR ACTIVE TRAVELERS: UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION

Uniworld

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The interiors of Uniworld resemble an English country house on steroids, and that theatricality befits the owner: the Travel Corporation, which also owns the Red Carnation Hotel Collection (think Ireland's Ashford Castle and Geneva's Hotel d'Angleterre). The design sensibility has detractors, but it also has an almost campy personality. All 13 ships in the European fleet are outrageously opulent, and the newer ones, such as the S.S. Antoinette, the S.S. Catherine, and the S.S. Joie de Vivre, are also palatial.

Uniworld incorporates a wellness approach into virtually every part of the cruise experience: lectures by health experts, menu options, nordic walking sticks, bicycles in port, and even spa facilities on all ships in Europe and swimming pools on its newer vessels (a rarity on riverboats because of size constraints).

Book NowUniworld Castles Along the Rhine 2018 River Cruise, $2,559 per person

BEST FOR SUITES, BEST FOR DESIGN: VIKING RIVER CRUISES

Viking River Cruises

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The suites in Viking River Cruise's lovely Longship boats are best-in-class. Nine suites on each ship have both traditional balconies and wall-to-ceiling "French verandas" that open the bedrooms completely to the passing views. The two Explorer Suites on each vessel measure 445 square feet (huge in the river world) and have 270-degree views and wraparound balconies.

Riverboats, particularly those that ply Europe's waterways, all have to hew to the same size standards because of low bridges and tight locks. But the simple Scandinavian design of Viking's nearly 50 newly built Longships makes the best use of space we've seen. They don't feel cramped, and they have a lovely indoor/outdoor dining area, the Aquavit Terrace.

BEST FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS: SCENIC

scenic.au

On Scenic voyages you don't have to eat with others (there's room service, which is not typically available on river cruise lines). On shore you can ditch the group tour and instead use Scenic's virtual tour guide. And the line's fleet of electric bikes makes it easy to set off solo.

Book NowHighlights of Vietnam, Cambodia, & Luxury Mekong, from $7,945 per personBook NowJewels of Russia with Spectacular Scandinavia, from $17,290

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